WHOLESALE PRICE OF MILK.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16225, 4 July 1918, Page 4

WHOLESALE PRICE OF MILK.

MEETING OF PRODUCERS. A meeting of producing dairymen was held at the Addington Saleyards yesterday, when Mi* H. Bliss presided over an attendance of sixteen. The chairman stated that a meet rap; of retailers had alleged exploitation against the wholesalers, consequent- on a decision arrived at by the latter to increase the wholesale price of milk to Is 2d per gallon. The position, however, was that the increase meant that tho average price all the year round was lOjfd per gallon. This was the" lowest for any fair-sized town in New Zealand. During the two months of the intended rise there would be an actual shortage of milk in the city. Butter factories wore also competing for the milk supply. The retailers were making 8d a gallon, as against 6d before the war. The producers were willing to place their side -of the case before the Board of Trade. Mr W. L. Wright asked whether the producers would b.e able to give the Board of Trade an assurance regarding supply. . Mr Bliss replied that a price would havo to be fixed to encourage production. Even at the average of 102 d would bo better to supply the cheese factories. During the winter months a cow would only, produce li gallons daily, as compared with 3 gallons in summer from a good animal. A producer interjected that, in winter, to produce 40s worth of milk, 30s worth of feed would be used. _ lliere was the cost of labour, etc., in addits<After further discussion, Messrs H. Blis3, A W. Hammott, and T. Edwards were appointed to represent producers interests at a conference with the Board of Trade.